Would Your Parent Benefit from an Emotional Support Animal?
Caregivers who watch the news or spend time on social media have no doubt stories about people with emotional support animals, like the woman whose peacock was denied a seat on an airplane. The story brought support from both sides of the issue. Some people felt the woman should have been able to take the animal on board with her while others felt it was an abuse of policies concerning support animals. The negative stories about emotional support animals who have misbehaved in public or people abusing policies have given emotional support animals a bad name in the minds of some caregivers. But, the truth is that, when the rules are followed, emotional support animals can be an important and extremely beneficial part of an older adult’s life.
What is An Emotional Support Animal?
Caregiver Rockford, MI: Emotional Support Animal
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are more than just pets. They are animals prescribed by mental health professionals for the purpose of comforting and assisting people who have conditions like PTSD or anxiety. They are different from service dogs that are specially trained to perform specific helpful tasks and are allowed to enter public places like restaurants and stores. An ESA doesn’t require special training but should be trained to be well-behaved in public. They also don’t have the same access as service dogs do.
An ESA offers its owner benefits like:
- Reduced Anxiety: The presence of and interacting with an ESA can calm the older adult and reduce feelings of anxiousness.
- Trauma Support: People who have experienced a traumatic event benefit from the comfort an ESA can provide.
- Less Loneliness: Older adults who live alone and suffer from depression or anxiety may feel less lonely with the companionship of an ESA.
What Are the Rules Concerning Emotional Support Animals?
People with ESAs do have some extra rights not afforded to pets. A person with an ESA can live in housing that is otherwise not available to people with pets. While airlines may allow ESAs to travel with their owners, they are allowed to deny access based on the animal’s size, weight, and age (animals under 4 months of age may be prohibited). Some airlines may not allow certain kinds of animals. For example, American Airlines may not allow an animal that is not a dog, cat, or miniature horse while Southwest Airlines only accepts dogs. All airlines can turn away ESAs that pose a safety threat to its other customers.
Caregivers to older adults with mental health issues may want to talk to the senior’s doctor about whether an ESA might be beneficial. If so, caregivers should also think carefully about the care involved for the animal and make sure they are prepared to assist the older adult with the ESA, if needed.
If you or someone you know needs help with a Caregiver in Rockford, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/news/20191125/ducks-more-animals-offer-flyers-emotional-support
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-an-emotional-support-animal-4171479
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/woman-denied-emotional-support-peacock-on-united-flight
https://www.animallaw.info/article/faqs-emotional-support-animals#s1
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